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COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY
The Industrial Support Division provides general industrial support services as well as services specific to SMEs, including the SME funding schemes.
Invest Hong Kong
The Government is committed to promoting and enhancing the attractiveness of Hong Kong as a premier investment destination. Invest Hong Kong is a government department established on July 1, 2000 to spearhead Hong Kong's efforts to attract inward investment. Its Head Office in Hong Kong works closely with the Economic and Trade Offices in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia to offer solution- oriented investment promotion, facilitation and after-care services to ensure that foreign companies have the support required to establish or expand their operations in the HKSAR, the Mainland and the Asia-Pacific region. Invest Hong Kong also provides information to facilitate the making of informed investment decisions by investors in setting up regional headquarters and regional offices in Hong Kong.
Invest Hong Kong adopts a proactive investment promotion strategy by focusing on economic sectors where Hong Kong has an edge over other cities. The targeted sectors are financial services, trade related services, transportation, telecommunications, media and multimedia, business and professional services, information technology, technology (especially electronics and biotechnology), and tourism and entertainment. In addition, Invest Hong Kong seeks to strengthen its after-care service with a view to retaining and expanding investments already made.
From January 1, 2002 to December 31, 2002, Invest Hong Kong assisted 117 foreign companies in completing 117 investment projects in Hong Kong. The total amount of investment generated exceeded $1.36 billion, and over 2 070 new jobs were created. During the year, Invest Hong Kong took part in two major international events to underline Hong Kong's advantages as an international financial and business centre, and to strengthen business links. It was the host sponsor of the 2002 Forbes Global CEO Conference held from September 24 to 26. Over 300 overseas, local and Mainland delegates, speakers and guests attended the conference.
Invest Hong Kong also participated in the Transatlantic Race 2002 organised by the Challenge Business through the Spirit of Hong Kong, the same yacht which raced in the BT Global Challenge 2000-01. The event not only helped build up positive public relations and publicity for Hong Kong and Invest Hong Kong, but also brought in new investment.
Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices seek to promote economic and trade interests by enhancing understanding of the HKSAR among opinion-formers; closely monitoring developments that might affect the HKSAR's economic and trading interests, such as proposed legislation; and liaising closely with the business and commercial sectors, politicians and the news media. They also organise events to promote Hong Kong's image. In addition, most of these offices seek to attract direct investment into Hong Kong.
The offices are located in Brussels, Geneva, London, New York, San Francisco, Singapore, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto, Washington and Guangdong.
The Brussels Office represents Hong Kong's economic and trade interests in dealings with the European Union (EU). It also monitors and promotes bilateral relations with the EU and its member states except the United Kingdom.